A GOOD CRUSH

The sugar crush across Dawson is on again, and it’s a timely reminder that cane trains are on the move and caution is needed around level crossings. Please, everyone be aware and remain safe on our roads.

As the federal member for Dawson and Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capabilities, I am so proud of our local sugar industry. Behind wheat, sugar is Australia’s most exported crop, generating around $2 billion in revenue every year, and a significant portion of that is grown right here in Dawson. The industry provides a living for thousands, and the flow-on effect to other parts of our local community is enormous. Our region really is the sugar capital of Australia.

But our industry is more than just the sweet stuff in our coffees. Sugar is used to generate electricity and in the production of bio-blended fuels.

In my new role as Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing, I am keen to share the positive stories coming from our sugar industry to ensure investment continues to flow into this region.

Mackay Sugar’s Racecourse Mill operates a 38-megawatt cogeneration plant that converts sugar cane byproducts, such as bagasse, into renewable electricity. This facility supplies approximately 30% of Mackay’s electricity needs, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions by about 200,000 tonnes annually.

The Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant (MRBPP), also situated at the Racecourse Mill, is a pioneering research facility that transforms sugar cane biomass into biofuels, green chemicals, and other bioproducts. Collaboration between Mackay Sugar and the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) aims to demonstrate the commercial viability of future bioenergy technologies.

Additionally, Wilmar’s Plain Creek Mill, known for its sweet treats and alcohol production, is Australia’s largest sugar based manufacturer of ethanol utilized in fuel blends, including emerging applications in aviation fuel. This further contributes to the nation's renewable energy supply.

I am excited about what the future holds for the industry. The sector is creating jobs not just in farming and milling, but also in research and technology. With so much research underway, the applications of sugar byproducts could expand dramatically, driving even more investment and growth for the region.

So next time you’re having a cuppa, pause and reflect on what the next chapter of the sugar industry might look like and what opportunities you could become part of.